Let’s face it – the prospect of a sober St. Patrick’s Day may leave you feeling a bit out of the loop. The holiday, which is highly popular all over the world, has a reputation for being a pretty big drinking day.

Let’s be clear – there’s nothing wrong with having some beers on St. Patrick’s Day. But for some, having a few beers isn’t really an option. If you’re in recovery, hoping to provide a child-friendly celebration, or simply not a drinker, it’s easy to feel left out on St. Patrick’s Day.

But you don’t have to feel that way. In fact, in many ways, a sober St. Patrick’s Day is a better St. Patrick’s Day.

You can focus on the true history behind the holiday

It may surprise you to learn that St. Patrick’s Day isn’t really a heavy drinking holiday in many parts of the world – especially in Ireland. As Bustle puts it,

“Here in the United States, it’s undoubtedly a tradition to drink and party on St. Patrick’s Day. However, in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is regularly recognized as a religious, somber holiday. In fact, up through the 1970s, it was illegal to sell alcohol on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. Now, there are parades and celebrations of St. Patrick in Ireland, but it’s generally still more commemorative and serious than it is here in the United States.”

St. Patrick is celebrated as the man who brought catholicism to Ireland, and in the country the traditional celebrations include dancing, singing, parades, and feasting. Sure, beer is enjoyed as it is most days but it’s not used as a “get drunk” holiday. As part of a sober St. Patrick’s Day, you can spend some time brushing up on your history.

It provides a great opportunity for self-improvement

If you want to buck “tradition” and have a sober St. Patrick’s Day, you might as well spark a new tradition or two. Go against the grain and make St. Patrick’s Day all about the betterment of yourself. If you’re in recovery, think about attending a meeting or hanging out with others in a support group. Kickstart a new healthy lifestyle path. Go outside and enjoy nature, or start an annual Irish movie marathon tradition. The possibilities are endless.

You can use it as a spiritual refresher

St. Patrick’s Day has its roots in religion and spirituality. If you’re a person of faith, it’s the perfect day to focus on your own spirituality. If you’re not religious, you can still think of St. Patrick’s Day as a day of refreshment. Exercise, do yoga, or meditate. The way you’ll feel will definitely beat the next-day hangover you’re avoiding.

You get to play caretaker

No, this isn’t a joke. Dealing with your drunk friends may not seem like that best way to spend a day, but if you’re the kind of person who is inclined to care, there’s no better opportunity than St. Patrick’s Day. Providing a safe outlet for people in your life who do choose to drink on the holiday can be an important and rewarding way to celebrate. Be a designated driver. You can even have a shirt made declaring your status, so your friends will know who to turn to if they need a safe ride home. This also provides you the opportunity to get some killer photos and video for future blackmail. Just kidding. Kind of.

About Sarah Lockwood

Sarah Lockwood is a concerned parent and former social worker. Having worked with the public for decades and after watching her own daughter struggle with addiction, Sarah knows all too well the devastation that can be caused by drug and alcohol abuse. Sarah’s daughter is now in recovery, but her experiences with substance abuse inspired Sarah to get involved with ThePreventionCoalition.org. She plans to spread awareness and support through her work for others dealing with addiction. While Sarah devotes a lot of time to the Coalition, she makes sure to relax and enjoy the small things in life, as every day is a gift.